Franzen and a 1st for Nash isn't too much.....it's not enough. But either way he's not coming here and may be staying in Columbus til the offseason. As for a realistic trade getting Pominville would be insane but not likely Roy or Gaustad wouldn't be the sexiest trade but would help us with a subtle need: another center who can win the important faceoffs. Say what you will bit Draper was always an extremely talented center taking faceoffs and has been a void since he retired.

i can't wait to see the wings do absolutely nothing today. so glad they have all that cap space.

I'm considering offering you to the Jackets board in return for one fan who has been patient through all of their misery and would appreciate the s*** out of rooting for a team like the Wings. But I wouldn't do that to them, hell, I wouldn't even wish you on the Sharks.

I think you all know my opinion of Franzen so I will refrain from just bad-mouthing him. I will just say I really appreciate this thread and agree with the OP to the Nth degree!

edit: on a side note, the same can be said about Zetterberg. I do believe wholeheartedly that because of his back, he is on a downswing and will continue to get worse. I predict both of these guys retire because of health issues before their contracts are up...

The Wings have put together a great season thus far. Filppula has emerged as the player we knew he could be. The third line is starting to mesh into a real force, the type you need to win in the playoffs. The back-end has shown sparks of brilliance prior to recent miscues. Datsyuk continues to prove time and again he is the elite among the elite, despite having less help than most national media think he does. Even a down season from Zetterberg has shown speed and effort which I believe will see him closer to 70 points than the 62 points he is on pace for.

The real sore spot from game to game is the disappearing act of Johan Franzen. He has become a floater, getting away from the inside game that has made him successful in the past. His goals are not coming as easy as he seems to hope, coinciding with his lack of effort. For me, there are two categories Wings forwards have fallen into: 1) those who seem to put in the effort every night, pick up their linemates, and often seem to deserve more on the scoresheet than their linemates' play allows, 2) the passengers, the beneficiary, floating, showing little effort while allowing the first group to do all the work, often seeming to "pad" their stats on the backs of their more tenacious linemates.

For me, Datsyuk and Filppula have proven themselves members of the first group. On the flipside, Hudler and Franzen are prime examples of the latter group. Franzen in particular has shown diminishing effort and thus diminishing returns since his 11-year contract was signed at the tail end of the 2008-2009 season. Watching his work ethic, or lack thereof, game in game out has to be a tremendous frustration for Wings coaching and management, as it is for fans. After a decent start to his season, Franzen returned to his inconsistent, uninterested ways:

This season he is on pace for: 81gp 29g 31a 60pt (beneficiary of Datsyuk)
In the last 22gp: 11pts 7g 4a -3
If his current play continues: 81gp 29g 27a 56pt

Based on his production prior to signing
The Red Wings are paying for: 82gp 40g 29a 69pt
Unfortunately, they are getting: 25-29g 41-60pt (based on slump-season)

And what about his playoff performance? To me, Franzen's worth will always be measured 60%-75% by his playoff production and effort. But in this "what have you done for me lately" league, what has he done for the team lately?

Is Franzen on a permanent downswing? To me, he is not the player the Wings are paying for and hasn't been since signing his "major contract". He is not getting any younger, has always been injury prone, and even when healthy, lacks the strength of character to sustain interest and effort throughout a season, let alone throughout the remainder of his career. Is there anything that can be done to correct his attitude? Would you be willing to trade him? If so, what would you want in return? Could he be packaged to acquire an elite scorer (Nash, etc.)?

I'm not saying we should, or could trade him with adequate return, but the future is not looking fantastic for Franzen.

I know a lot of ppl joke but I think this effects the D much more than people realize. Quincey still looks nervous and Kindl and Commie are streaky at best. E eats up a ton of minutes, plays the PK and has been solid for the team. I know all the Ericsson haters will be thrilled but I think it will effect the team with the lines and chemistry....I think it's a lossHeal up Big Rig

Same feelings about Franzen. He uses his size along the boards well, but when it comes to making a play when he has the puck, he always shys away from any contact. It's hard to get angry at him, because he has scored many goals for the wings this season, but it's driving me crazy to watch him play like this.

If there is one absolute in late game lead protecting situations it's that Franzen should NEVER be on the ice. I have never seen a bigger, slower, out of position pylon and this is about the fourth time this year he has failed to defend against a game tying goal.

That's the beauty of his acquisition. He's on our 3rd pair, but he is a bonafide 2nd pair guy. If there's one thing Kennys done well this year is build depth, we are in a great position going into the trade deadline.

I really don't mind Quincey and Erickson as the 3rd D-line pairing. Yea, Erickson hasn't been stellar, but I think thats a damn good 3rd line pairing for the NHL.